Texas Season Opener
Arch Manning and Texas Open Season With Matchup Against Texas State
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Key Points
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Texas strengthened its roster through the transfer portal, adding receiver Cam Coleman and running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers while bolstering the offensive line.
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Steve Sarkisian revamped Texas’ defense by replacing defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski with Will Muschamp, who brings 25 years of experience studying SEC defenses.
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Texas State is preparing to move to the Pac-12, described in the article as a significantly reworked version of the conference after years of realignment.
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Game-day conditions in Austin were expected to be difficult, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees, high humidity and only a slight chance of clouds or a stray shower.
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The matchup was promoted as a rare meeting between nearby Hill Country programs, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Royal-Memorial Stadium.
No. 6 Indiana dominated North Texas 52-16 in its season opener on September 5, 2026, as the defending national champions showed no signs of slowing down. Quarterback Josh Hoover threw four touchdown passes and rushed for 231 yards, while running back Turbo Richard added two rushing touchdowns in CBS Sports's game tracker.
Hoover Leads Dominant Offensive Display
Josh Hoover orchestrated Indiana's high-powered offense with surgical precision. The quarterback connected on four touchdown passes while also contributing 231 passing yards CBS Sports. Turbo Richard punched in two rushing scores, showcasing the Hoosiers' balanced attack that overwhelmed the North Texas defense throughout the afternoon.
Indiana's ground game proved especially effective against a Mean Green squad struggling to contain the Hoosiers' diverse weapons FOX College Football. The combination of Hoover's arm talent and Richard's downhill running created constant mismatches for North Texas to handle.
Defending Champs Make Statement With Big Win
Indiana's 36-point victory sent a clear message to the rest of college football: last year's national champions remain the team to beat CBS Sports. Opening the season against ranked opponents often results in closer contests, but the Hoosiers showed no mercy against an overmatched North Texas team.
The convincing victory suggests Indiana has maintained the core elements that led to last season's championship. With Hoover leading the offense and the defense stifling opponents, the Hoosiers appear positioned for another deep tournament run.
North Texas Struggles in Tough Road Test
North Texas entered the contest hoping to pull off a massive upset against a national championship team. The Mean Green's inability to slow Indiana's offense made the task nearly impossible from kickoff CBS Sports. Being outscored 52-16 highlighted the gap between elite and mid-tier college football programs.
The lopsided score placed North Texas's 2026 season in an early hole. The Mean Green will need significant adjustments and improvements as they turn their attention to upcoming conference matchups to salvage what remains of their year.
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